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VAP

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1. Definition

Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) is a lung infection that develops in a patient who has been mechanically ventilated for >48 hours and is defined by clinical, radiographic, and microbiological criteria. These criteria are subjective, leading to substantial inter-observer variability. The clinical and surveillance definitions of VAP are compiled and summarized by SHEA/IDSA in a publication from 2014 [1].

2. Burden of disease.

The prevalence and incidence of VAP are difficult to calculate since definitions are subjective and non-specific. Clinical surveys suggest that 10-20% of ventilated patients will develop VAP [1]. The attributable mortality of VAP is estimated to be approximately 10%, ranging between 3% and 17%, and varies for different kinds of patients. Critically ill patients who develop VAP appear to be twice as likely to die compared with similar patients without VAP. VAP increases direct medical costs since VAP extend patients’ duration of mechanical ventilation, increase intensive care and hospital length of stay, and are associated with increased use of antimicrobials.

3. How to prevent-specific requirements.

It has been shown that 55% of VAP cases can be prevented when evidence-based guidelines are followed [2]. General conditions must be met to prevent HAIs described elsewhereregarding education of staff, surveillance and infrastructure. VAP develops due to microbial invasion of the normally sterile lung and is a result of either impaired host defences, the presence of a high dose of microorganisms or a particularly virulent pathogen. The predisposing factor is the endotracheal tube that bypasses the body’s natural defence mechanisms against respiratory infection. The tube impairs cough and mucociliary clearance and creates an abnormal passageway between the upper airway and the trachea. In addition, the tube may facilitate the entry of bacteria by pooling and leakage of contaminated secretions around the cuff. Non-invasive mechanical ventilation is associated with a lower incidence of nosocomial infection and the overall focus of guidelines is to prevent deep sedation for long times and to encourage patients to breathe spontaneously to decrease the need of an endotracheal tube. The following recommendations are based on recently published guidelines for adults [1]. A bundled strategy with the following elements can decrease VAP incidence significantly [3,4].